LDS Church supporting an LGBTQ Event?

The title is a little misleading. I heard about this yesterday on the radio and looked up an article from Deseret News

"LDS Church issues statement of support for LGBTQ concert event"
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865686887/LDS-Church-issues-statement-of-support-for-LGBTQ-concert-event.html

I am certain the majority of Church members will probably fall into three opinions regarding this.

First, there are those who will be excited about this statement of support, and believe that it is indicative of increasing change among the leaders of the Church, and that, eventually, the Church will become fully supportive and "tolerant" of LGBTQ+ movement. Perhaps even accepting and allowing for gay marriage.

The second group is almost opposite. These people will feel that the Church is becoming misguided and swayed by a desire to become popular in the world by supporting a LGBTQ event. They likely feel that this is wrong, and that the Church should not be issuing any statements of support for anything LGBTQ related.

The third group will see this exactly as it is. The Church is supporting the event for what it is, an event to bring people together, to address safety, respect, and love for all of God's children, It's an event of inclusion. The Church's statement says nothing about supporting the actual LGBTQ movement, its agenda, gay marriage, or any related immoral act.

Here's the actual statement form the Church (http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-statement-love-loud-festival):

"After receiving media inquiries, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has provided the following statement about the LoveLoud Festival in Orem, Utah, which takes place August 26, 2017:

"We applaud the LoveLoud Festival for LGBT youth's aim to bring people together to address teen safety and to express respect and love for all of God’s children. We join our voice with all who come together to foster a community of inclusion in which no one is mistreated because of who they are or what they believe.

"We share common beliefs, among them the pricelessness of our youth and the value of families. We earnestly hope this festival and other related efforts can build respectful communication, better understanding and civility as we all learn from each other."

There is no endorsement of homosexuality, no condoning immoral acts. In fact, it is NOT issued as an actual statement of support but as a response to media inquiries regarding the event. Clearly the aims of the festival are those which the Church supports:

• teen safety
• expressing respect and love for all of God's children
• fostering a community of inclusion in which no one is mistreated because of who they are what they believe
• building respectful communication, better understanding, and civility

The Deseret News article should have more correctly stated that the Church supports the events and aims of the Festival, but instead their title states that the Church supports the Festival.

While there are many comments that indicate the authors see the Church's statement for what it is, there are many which support the other two viewpoints. If you want an example of the range of feelings, read some of the comments (http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/865686887/LDS-Church-issues-statement-of-support-for-LGBTQ-concert-event.html):

"Wow, the Church will "support" this event rather than "not object" to it. Being a peculiar people seems to be fading..." 

"So my Church condemns traditional American 'attitudes' one day and the very next day praises free speech for LGTBXYZ activists? Got it, donations to the DNC are coming next." 

"Perhaps the leaders should refer to the 19th chapter of Genesis and also to Timothy 3. Thank you but I will take my admonitions from the bible." 

"By accepting LGBTQ youth for who they are before they are adults, the church is laying the groundwork for accepting them for who they are as adults including marriage. It's only a matter of time." 

"The LDS Church is slowly but surely embracing more of pop culture. Trying to be hip, politically correct, touchy feely, everything for everybody. Heck, you can get that almost anywhere in today's culture." 

"I applaud the LDS church for this statement. A small but significant step in a positive direction." 

"That's it....I'm out!" 

"Deviant behavior should not be accepted. Choose the right!" 

"Look for more and more empty pews in Mormon churches on Sundays, much the same as with Episcopalian and Methodist (and other denominations) churches since their teachings have changed from how to live as the Bible directs to changing the Bible to how they think it should have been written. Sad deal." 

"Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?" 

"This is good stuff and a step in a positive direction. Times are changing and so is Heavenly Father once again." 

"Who has hijacked Mormon Newsroom? What about every other pride rally, pride march, debaucherous mardi gras and other event, all around the world, where "they declare their sin as Sodom"? (Isaiah 3:9.)"

 Just as can be seen across the nation, divisions are widening even among members of the Church. It is part of the separation that is happening, and will be occurring to a greater degree as we enter the end times (before the Great Day of the Lord).